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Hardwick
An Elizabethan masterpiece
Doe Lea, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S44 5QJ
Important notice
There is limited access to the hall on 10 & 11 March with the ground floor open only.
Opening times for 21 February 2025
Asset Opening time House 11:00 - 15:00 Entrance point 09:30 - 16:30 Garden 09:30 - 16:30 Refreshments - Park Centre 10:30 - 15:30 Park 08:30 - 18:30 Restaurant 09:30 - 16:30 Shop 10:00 - 16:30 Second-hand bookshop 10:00 - 16:30 Please note that last entry to the Hall is at 14.15pm. The Old Hall is now closed until Spring 2025.
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Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £20.90 £19.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £10.50 £9.50 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £52.30 £47.50 1 adult, 2 children £31.40 £28.50 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Assistance dogs only
Able to access the entire property including the house.
Kiosk
The Park Centre kiosk is open 7 days a week. Located in the lower estate.
Bookshop
located in the old Coach House
Plant shop
Car park
Restaurant
Indoor and outdoor seating, including a designated indoor dog-friendly seating area
Dogs allowed
We welcome dogs on leads across the parkland, the Stableyard and the formal gardens. Detailed information can be found lower down on the visiting with your dog page.
Shop
Electric vehicle charging point
Located in the lower car park, not in the main car park.
Toilet
Parking 100 yards from facilities, baby-change, accessible toilets. Accessible routes in gardens and House (ground floor). Wheelchair/ tramper for hire.
Accessible route and/or map
Level access/terrain
Accessible toilet
Narrow corridors
Located in the Hall.
Braille (guide or menu)
Hall guide available.
Powered mobility vehicle available
Trampers available for use throughout gardens and Lady Spencer's Woods. Pre-booking is advised (01246 858435). Free of charge, donations welcome.
Changing Places
Located in the Stableyard toilets.
Ramped access/slopes
Designated parking
Seating available
Throughout main visitor routes.
Drop-off point
Steps/uneven terrain
Induction loop
Transfer available
Buggy service from Visitor Reception to the main entry for Gardens and Hall. (10am - 4pm, 7 days a week).
Large print (guide or menu)
Virtual tour
Is available in the Hall.
Level access to food outlet
Wheelchairs available
Available upon request subject to availability from Visitor Reception (01246 858435). Free of charge, donations welcome.
Level access to shop
By road
8 miles south-east of Chesterfield; via A6175. Leave M1 exit 29, follow brown signs
Sat Nav: Please use postcode S44 5RW. This postcode will take you to the correct entrance point to the estate // Google Maps: Please type in Hardwick Hall, Doe Lea, S44 5QJ to get to the visitor car park. Please be aware that a Sat Nav may take you along minor roads depending on your location.
On foot
Rowthorne Trail; Teversal Trail. Please note signage is limited.
By train
The closest train station is Chesterfield. From there you can pick up a taxi or catch the Pronto bus from Chesterfield coach station, see bus directions for further details.
By bus
On-demand bus service from your local area to Hardwick car park available by Travel Derbyshire. Find out more: https://www.roadxs.com/travel-derbyshire-on-demand/ Or from Chesterfield, alight Glapwell 'Young Vanish' and cross the road, walk up the hill and take first right following signs to Rowthorne & Hardwick. Continue toward village then take second right and first left, arriving at Rowthorne gate. Continue straight to access Hardwick Hall. Please note the walk from the bus stop is approximately 2 miles, on main roads in part and with limited signage.
Cycling
Hardwick can be reached by a number of routes, see below. Please note Hardwick operates a one way system for cars so you may be travelling against traffic.
Planning your visit
February Half Term
Half term has never been more ‘love’ly! Explore the exciting Elizabethan themes of St Valentines through outdoor play and crafts.
Spotlight Events
Sign up to winter walks and running challenges or plan ahead and book those 'Early Bird' outdoor theatre tickets now!
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Volunteer opportunities at Hardwick
Join the great team of volunteers working to maintain and run Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire for visitors.
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Visiting Hardwick with your dog
Hardwick is a three pawprint rated place, and offers plenty of opportunities for bounding, jumping and sniffing for dogs. With acres to explore, come and join us for a wander.
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Group visits at Hardwick
As one of the finest Elizabethan buildings in the country, Hardwick Hall is a perfect place for group visits.
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Highlights
Hall
An English interpretation of Italian Renaissance Architecture. This impressive masterpiece casts a dramatic silhouette across the Derbyshire skyline.
History
‘Bess of Hardwick’ was a shrewd and successful businesswoman. She married well and ultimately became the Countess of Shrewsbury.
Collection
Home to a unique collection of the finest 16th and early 17th-century needlework, furniture and original portraits.
Garden
The garden is laid out around the hall. It has a herb garden, orchards, mixed borders which provide seasonal colour.
Estate
Impressive views of rolling hills and Grade I listed parkland. Follow walks which wind through ancient trees and countryside.
Eating
The Barn restaurant provides main meals, light bites and freshly baked cakes and scones.
Shopping
The shop sells gifts, along with seasonal and local sourced products. The second-hand bookshop has pre-loved and rare books.
Visitor centre
Enjoy a warm welcome to Hardwick Hall in the Visitor centre, with friendly, knowledgeable staff and volunteers.
Spotlight events
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Hardwick
There's plenty for families to do at Hardwick Hall, including seasonal trails, adventuring in the parkland and exploring the house. Find out what's on and plan your visit.
Spotlight events
Sign up to winter walks and running challenges or plan ahead and book those 'Early Bird' outdoor theatre tickets now!
Material Power: Let the textiles do the talking
A celebration of tapestry, embroidery and appliqué. Discover how Bess of Hardwick’s exquisite textile collection tells her story.
Things to see and do
Article
Discover Hardwick Hall
Hardwick Hall is the legacy of a woman who had the vision, wealth and sheer audacity to commission a house that shouts innovation from the rooftops.
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Visiting the garden at Hardwick Hall
Enjoy serenity in the garden at Hardwick Hall this winter and explore new growth through our Herb Garden and borders.
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Exploring the parkland at Hardwick
Visit Hardwick's parkland to enjoy stunning scenery and a wide range of walking routes and wildlife this season.
Top trails
Trail
The Sculpture Walk
Explore the historic parkland with hidden histories brought to life by the Hardwick Stonemasons. Our team have been busy chipping away behind the scenes creating beautiful stone sculptures to accompany the stories of the estate. From the horse hospital to the old cart route, let our walk leaders guide you through this new trail.
Trail
Hardwick wider estate walk
Discover parts of the Hardwick Hall estate often missed, on this wider estate walk through beautiful Derbyshire countryside.
Trail
A gentle walk around Hardwick
A short walk around Hardwick in Derbyshire taking in the surrounding woodlands and ancient park.
Eating and shopping
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Eating and shopping at Hardwick
Enjoy tasty food and drink in the Great Barn restaurant or browse in the gift shop. Both are located within a historic setting at Hardwick.
Places to stay
4 Stable Yard Cottage
Stay on the Hardwick estate in a restored stableyard building.
6 High Hazels
Once the Brewhouse to Hardwick Hall, now an elegantly curated holiday home.
Rowthorne Lodge
A restored gate lodge for two with luxury interiors, set within the Hardwick Hall estate.
Upcoming events
Event
February Half Term
Half term has never been more ‘love’ly! Explore the exciting Elizabethan themes of St Valentines through outdoor play and crafts.
Event
Material Power: Let the textiles do the talking
A celebration of tapestry, embroidery and appliqué. Discover how Bess of Hardwick’s exquisite textile collection tells her story.
Event
This Girl Codes Showcase
View exciting new artworks and explore the world of digital arts and engineering through a series of fun workshops.
Event
Rooftop tours
Join our informative guides on an exclusive rooftop tour of Hardwick Hall and lookover the Derbyshire countryside from above.
Event
International Women's Day Crafting Activities & Demonstrations
Visit the East Stables to learn more about women as healers through craft activities and demonstrations.
Event
International Women’s Day Storytelling & Singing
Listen to songs and stories of strong and important women from the Elizabethan period.
Event
International Women’s Day Writing Workshop
Channel your creativity in our writing workshop, inspired by the influential women of Hardwick Hall.
About Hardwick
Welcome to Hardwick – a spectacular Elizabethan house filled with rich furnishings and tapestries preserved by successive generations of the Devonshire family.
It was the formidable 'Bess of Hardwick' who first built the house and developed the surrounding estate in the late 1500s. Her descendants, the Dukes of Devonshire, treasured Hardwick, while lavishing much of their attention and money on nearby Chatsworth. Their success – intimately associated with empire over 400 years and across the globe – preserved Hardwick, and their interests elsewhere saved it from significant alteration.
In the 20th century, keenly aware of Hardwick’s great significance and unique appeal, the Devonshires ensured that this remarkable building was passed on to the nation with its Elizabethan splendour intact. The Hardwick Estate is open every day, for countryside walks with picturesque views, woodland family play trails, locally sourced gifts in the shop and delicious seasonal menus in the restaurant.
History
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The history of Hardwick Hall
Read how wealth, power and ambition drove Bess of Hardwick to build her grand design, filled with a treasure trove of fine furnishings that can still be seen at the Hall today.
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The Parachute Regiment and Hardwick Hall
Learn the history of the Parachute Regiment born in 1941. Find out about their strong ties to the Hardwick Estate and how this made way for the post-war Polish resettlement camp for allied soldiers.
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Thomas Hobbes and Hardwick Hall
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was a philosopher and political theorist. He is best known for Leviathan, published in 1651. He had a long association with the Cavendish family and spent his final years in Derbyshire, at Chatsworth and Hardwick Hall.
Art and collections
Article
Woven Worlds
Celebrate tapestries, embroidery and appliqué through a series of workshops, events and interactive displays.
Article
The collection at Hardwick
Discover an internationally-renowned collection of textiles including exquisite tapestries and embroidery and learn about the art of up-cycling, Elizabethan style. Find out more about Bess of Hardwick who largely sourced and collected the textile treasures.
Our work
News
National Trust and English Heritage announce new partnership at Hardwick Old Hall
The National Trust and English Heritage have announced a new partnership agreement which allows both members to visit both halls, the Old Hall is open for the first time in five years after extensive conservation work.
Project
Project
Gideon tapestry project at Hardwick Hall
After 24 years of conservation, the 13th and final Gideon tapestry has returned to Hardwick Hall, marking the end of the National Trust's longest ever conservation project.
Project
Project
The Hardwick Hall Building Repair Project
The ten-year project to restore and protect Hardwick Hall.
Support us
Article
Volunteer opportunities at Hardwick
Join the great team of volunteers working to maintain and run Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire for visitors.